Finland rejects Russia's reported Nato withdrawal demand

Finland rejected Russia's reported demand to withdraw from Nato during Ukraine peace negotiations, with Finnish ministers calling the proposal unacceptable and non-negotiable. The demand, first reported by Bild, allegedly surfaced during Abu Dhabi talks, though Russia denied making it. Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen called the suggestion outrageous, while Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said membership decisions belong solely to Finland and the alliance. Finland joined Nato in April 2023 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The reported demand resembled Moscow's October 2021 security proposal. European leaders in Dublin opposed linking European security arrangements to Ukraine talks, with EU officials warning against diverting attention from Russia's military actions.